Wednesday, August 19, 2015

A new toy

My "summer job" is ending the Friday after Labor Day, and not before time.

I figured out the other night that I have 14 events between now and Christmas, and that's assuming none get added to the schedule.  And something always gets added to the schedule.

Add to that the fact that I have enough merchandise for about 3 shows, and that the holidays (and therefore, custom order season) are almost upon us, and I'm really getting antsy to get the job over with.

But while it's still going on, and while I have this steady money coming in, I've treated the house (and occasionally  myself) to a few not-quite-luxuries, this being one of them.

Hopefully this weekend it'll get taken out of the box.  I don't have a show, and so long as the kitchen isn't 90 degrees, I think I'll pick up something at the farmers market and fire this baby up and see what it can do.  I really want to expand beyond tomatoes and pickles, and a pressure canner will allow me to can soups, low-acid vegetables, even meats.

Now I just need to work up the nerve to try it out.

7 comments:

Linda T said...

Don't be afraid! You will love it! I've used a pressure cooker for so many things!

Nancy K said...

I canned for the first time last summer, but that was tomatoes and I didn't need to use a pressure canner. This will really make it easy to can just about anything. It is kind of scary the first time but as long as you follow the instructions you'll be fine. This is on my husbands yard sale list.

Jodie said...

Hi Karen:
I'm generally a reader not a commenter but I wanted to give you a decent (well I think) resource for pressure canning. I'm a high school Foods studies teacher and while I demonstrate pressure canning for my students I don't generally have them give it a try. But my resource is this one http://www.bernardin.ca/pages/meat__fish__soup__stews_and_savory_sauces_/21.php

It's a Canadian company but I bet there is a US equivalent. I did check and the temperatures/pressures should translate. Have fun!

Rhonda Buss said...

You are going to wonder how you ever lived without it! Enjoy!!, and have fun :)

Laura said...

We have one on our boat and I've actually made Thanksgiving dinner with it! A 3pound turkey breast can be cooked in 32 minutes!

Kay said...

Pressure cookers/canners can be very useful tools, but BE CAREFUL! I have scars running from my shoulder almost to my wrist, requiring skin grafts from my thigh, as a result of a moment's carelessness with a pressure cooker. It can be a real time-saver, but it requires constant vigilance and scrupulous adherence to safety guidelines. Take it from me, don't use it 1/2 hour after you donate blood.

Olivia@tefelcourses said...

The only thing you can do is read the instruction carefully and follow it exactly then it will be fine.
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